No Man’s Sky has introduced a second wave of cosmic discovery in Worlds Part II. The latest update brings entirely new star systems, deeper oceans, breathtaking gas giants, and dramatic tech upgrades. Below is a rundown of what’s new, from huge terrain overhauls and improved lighting to brand-new biomes and fresh story missions.
What’s Inside Worlds Part II
More Star Systems
Purple-class (siren) stars expand the universe without resetting your existing progress. You’ll discover new types of planets, moons with water, and even colossal gas giants with unique gravity effects.
Enhanced Terrain Generation
- Refined algorithms create varied landscapes: towering mountains, sprawling valleys, and deeper oceans.
- In purple-class systems, expect entirely different layouts, including planet-wide oceans and enormous resource deposits beneath the waves.
Gas Giants
- Vast worlds several times bigger than anything seen before.
- Harsh global storms and intense atmospheric pressure.
- Orbiting moons influenced by the giants’ powerful gravity.
- Each gas giant comes with exclusive resources and atmospheric gases.
Water Worlds
- Planets covered entirely by water.
- Special landing tech is needed to touch down on endless oceans.
- Dive into miles-deep marine ecosystems, complete with strange new species and precious minerals.
Overhauled Lighting & Shadows
- Fully rewritten lighting engine adds more realistic highlights and reflections.
- Deeper ambient occlusion offers sharper contrast and detail on surfaces and creatures.
- Caves and interior spaces feel darker and more atmospheric, making torches crucial for exploration.
Water Rendering Upgrades
- Clear reflections of clouds, planets, and nebulae on the water’s surface.
- Dynamic wave effects when ships, creatures, or travellers move across the water.
- Subsurface scattering and enhanced caustics create captivating underwater scenes.
Underwater Life
- New fish, squids, mantas, seahorses, and prawn-like crustaceans.
- Some can grow to enormous sizes in the deepest parts of the oceans.
- Bioluminescent species emit soft glows that light up the depths.
Diverse New Biomes
- Lush jungles with dense canopies.
- Desert wastelands with towering rock spires.
- Ancient relic worlds dotted with crumbling ruins to explore.
- Floating islands appearing in more varied environments than ever.
Environmental Hazards
- Planet-specific risks like drifting toxic spores, volcanic eruptions, or local gravity inversions.
- Deeper water means increased oxygen consumption and more extreme conditions.
- New “Pressure Membrane” technology helps offset these underwater dangers.
Fresh Story Missions
- “In Stellar Multitudes”: team up with the Autophage to unravel mysteries about the Atlas, Atlantid, and lost worlds.
- Expect new characters, old friends, and a long quest that spans entire star systems.
Upcoming Titan Expedition
- Expedition Seventeen: Titan invites players to chart newly formed stars and water-dominated planets.
- Earn special items like the Wraith (a unique living starship), the Titan-inspired staff, and more.
Cooking & Cronus’ Market
- Cronus now buys different foods each day in bulk for nanites.
- A recipe tree helps you track ingredients and steps more easily.
- The new “Nutrient Ingestor” module lets you load up on meals that auto-consume for long-lasting buffs.
Abandoned Mode
- No advanced alien life across the entire galaxy.
- More isolated survival with no story or NPC traders.
Storage for Ships & Multi-Tools
- Capital ships can archive up to 18 starships. Reactivate them later with upgrades intact.
- Multi-tool racks let you retire up to 18 tools for safe keeping.
Fishing Expansions
- Different catches on gas giants and water worlds.
- Underwater bases can include a moonpool for fishing.
- Chance to find a “Child of Aquarius” that summons a Deepwater Guardian.
Quality of Life Improvements
- One-button inventory sorting by name, type, value, or color.
- Favorite destinations in the teleporter menu.
- East/West markers on the compass.
- Better first-person controls for exocraft and a new dredging laser for the Nautilon sub.
Performance & File Optimization
- Game size reduced by about 10%.
- Load times up to four times faster with better caching.
- Multiple memory and rendering optimizations for smoother gameplay and transitions.
Complete Patch Notes
For a full breakdown of every fix and feature, see the official patch notes. Highlights include:
- Purple-Class Star Systems: Expanding the universe without affecting existing bases or progress.
- Advanced Terrain: Richer mountains, valleys, and ocean floors.
- Colossal Worlds: Gas giants and massive water planets with exclusive resources.
- Water Overhaul: Reflections, realistic waves, calm waters, and new underwater effects.
- New Creatures: Bioluminescent fish, squids, hermit crabs, and more.
- Planetary Variety: Dense jungles, barren deserts, ruined relic worlds, floating islands, and altered hazards.
- Deep Ocean Gameplay: Pressure Membrane tech, increased oxygen usage, and specialized high-value resources.
- New Narrative Missions: “In Stellar Multitudes” plus fresh co-op fishing tasks.
- Abandoned Mode: A galaxy without alien civilizations.
- Archiving System: Long-term ship storage on freighters and a multi-tool rack for up to 18 items each.
- Fishing Updates: New species, challenges, and achievements that unlock unique gear.
- Cooking Enhancements: Bulk trading at Cronus’ stand, easier ingredient handling, and the Nutrient Ingestor suit upgrade.
- Titan Expedition: Timed community event with exclusive story, gear, and living starship rewards.
- Lighting & Shadow Upgrades: Realistic reflections, more contrast, improved interior lighting, and deeper shadows.
- Overall Optimization: Smaller downloads, faster loading, and reduced stutter with transitions.
No Man’s Sky has been evolving for nine years, and this expansion proves the journey isn’t slowing down. The team is committed to pushing the engine’s boundaries and adding fresh layers to your interstellar exploration.
Our journey continues.
The Hello Games Team
Source: nomanssky.com